1514 days ago

A Beautiful Mind

Alister from Dream Big New Zealand

Oh my goodness I am so glad I decided to watch the movie starring Russell Crowe "A Beautiful Mind" again. I saw it with new eyes. I have to say what a fantastic Personal Development story.

The movie portrays the life of mathematical genius John Nash Jnr - a highly intelligent man who develops schizophrenia. When navigating unchartered waters feeling terrified & disempowered we turn to the "experts" for help. John Nash dutifully submitted himself to the treatment protocols of the day - ECT 5 days per week x 10 weeks or something to that effect.

When deemed safe to return home to his wife & baby son he was on a daily dose of whatever medication. The problem for him was although it diminished his visual hallucinations (in the form of 3 different & benign characters & the belief that he was to carry out important decoding of hidden messages in published magazine text for American Intelligence Service) the medication also dulled down his useful abilities that added value to the world.

What a stressful time for this young married couple. His poor wife must have wondered what she'd signed up for. Anyway, John Nash Jnr approached this dilemma as he did any other problem - using logic. He decided to take control of his situation to come to a happy medium that didn't completely dull his brain so he could still do his work yet didn't allow the hallucinations to "take over" so that his sense of reality was all but completely lost rendering him unable to function in the world productively.

He took a much lower dose of his meds & learned that the hallucinatory effects of his overly excited brain could be kept at bay by observing them as a side effect of a brain with "schizophrenia" & not interacting with them. They never left him however they grew quieter & kept in the background more.

Gosh I so admire this guy. That is a tough journey he got delivered & he found a way to live his best life with his loved ones adding great value to the world. He was a beloved campus fixture of the University library where he mentored students he affectionately referred to as "eager young minds".

His marriage survived which is epic - a wonderful love story of endurance, unconditional love, acceptance, space-giving, learning & growing.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
18 hours ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
2 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

Image
Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 40.7% Yes
    40.7% Complete
  • 34.3% Maybe?
    34.3% Complete
  • 25% No
    25% Complete
508 votes
6 hours ago

Suellen's Sweet Christmas Tradition

Frances Hodgkins Retirement Village

The festive season is the perfect excuse to indulge your sweet tooth and to bring something truly special to the Christmas table. For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche !

An impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with delicate spun sugar, this classic dessert is a favourite at weddings across France and Italy and a much-loved Christmas tradition at home.

Click read more for the full recipe.

Image